City Ready to Answer Questions about 'Lens' at Pier Workshop

Thursday afternoon at City Hall, council members will be discussing the future of the "Lens" pier with city staff and opponents of the design. 

Council chair Karl Nurse said scheduling the workshop would help clear up concerns regarding building materials for the "Lens."

In March 27 memo to council, Nurse wrote that having a workshop would allow "Lens" architects, city planners and experts to be available to answer questions about the "Lens" raised from citizens and Stop the Lens. 

Prior to the workshop Nurse asked the Stop the Lens organization to "provide a letter outlining their technical concerns, not the visual or programmatic concerns," so that staff would be prepared to answer. 

City Attorney John Wolfe, is also scheduled to address a possible referendum schedule.

Recently Stop the Lens announced it would be successful in its petition drive to cancel the city's contract with Michael Maltzan Architecture to build the "Lens". Once the petitions are certified, city council can either adopt the petition as written and cancel the Maltzan contract or hold a public vote on the issue within 90 days.  

The existing St. Petersburg Pier is slated to close May 31 and set for demolition in the fall. 

Wednesday, Stop the Lens and Concerned Citizens of St. Pete president Bill Ballard wrote a letter to council asking them to delay closing the pier. 

"Council members, you have the power to postpone demolition of the pier.  Adopt a policy that responds to the realities of today," he wrote. "Circumstances have changed. The Lens project is in jeopardy. While that uncertainty exists, the total closure of The Pier is unnecessary and would deprive us of an enjoyable amenity. Its demolition in the face of possible termination of The Lens project would appear to be a vindictive act."

Should a public referendum happen, the "Lens" is not going to be without its supporters. 

Last week, TV pitchman and St. Pete resident Anthony Sullivan announced the creation of the_ WowStPete political action committee_. He created Wow Our Waterfront St. Pete last year when he thought the "Lens" needed a positive voice in the community. 

As a possible election nears, the creation of the political action committee, Sullivan told Patch, "it’s going to give us the freedom to move and the freedom to fight the opposition. And we’re going to win."

"If (the future of the "Lens") goes on the ballot we’ll be ready," Sullivan added. "This thing is going to get built."

Thursday's workshop, and the council meeting to follow, will be one of the last times council will discuss the "Lens" before a May 2 vote about the next phase of funding for the project. 

At Thursday's meeting, council member Wengay Newton will be asking council to delay closing the pier. 

In a post on Facebook, council member Steve Kornell said he will not be voting to delay closing the pier. 

"I can clearly state that I will not vote to delay the closing of our current Pier on May 31st. I have listened to everyone who has requested to speak with me on the issue of the Pier for over two years," Kornell wrote. "This has included vendors from the Pier, city staff, the leaders of Stop the Lens multiple times, many members of the Pier Advisory Task Force, members of the Chamber of Commerce, members of Michael Maltzan's team and many citizens.

"I have thought about this carefully and no one has convinced me that refurbishing the Pyramid can be done within the existing dollars budgeted for the Pier," he added.

The workshop Thursday is from 1-3 p.m. and will also be televised live on St. Pete TV and streaming online at StPete.org. City council meeting will follow the workshop. 

Related Pier Coverage:

• 'Lens' Pier Political Action Committee Forms
• Delaying Pier Closure Unlikely as the Columbia Prepares to Close
• 'Lens' Pier Meets Art Tonight at the Mahaffey
• Open Letter to St. Pete: Close to Stopping the Lens
• Judge Sides With City in Pier Lawsuit_
• 'Stop the Lens' Hires Firm to Gather Petitions
• Video: 'Feeling of Sadness' at St. Pete Pier
• Columbia Restaurant to Open New Location at 'The Lens' in St. Pete

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